The One: Experience Jesus | The Disciple

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Put my yoke upon your shoulders – it might appear heavy at first, but it is perfectly fitted to your curves. Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. When you are yoked to Me, your weary souls will find rest. For My yoke is easy, and My burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (The Voice)

Like a lot of other men, I think it would be great to my own garage storing an array of tools, all hanging from the wall next to my well-worn work bench. The reality, however, is that most of the DIY that occurs in my house is done by my wife.

Whether it’s tools, a shoe cupboard, library etc. we like to have things that give us a sense of accomplishment in our life. We’re all created this way, to build, to create and to use tools to achieve. It’s part of what makes us human. The other very human thing that we can do is to fill our lives with routines, schedules, books, people, or activities that we feel will help us progress and in so doing see our lives as valuable and going forward. We often compare our lives with others and it usually makes us focus on areas where we are lacking or feel we are not doing or achieving enough.

There are obvious negative outcomes from comparison. Yet even positive results can be negative if we are driven to succeed based on comparing our lives to others or where we think we should be in life. We can be yoked to “things” or driven by comparison. The yoke is an implement that is used to harness animals together to pull a load or a plow. It’s used to bring two animals together to achieve something. Here Jesus is saying to be careful what you connect or yoke yourself to because you can become “weary and burdened” and it will also be the thing that directs you in life. We need to be careful not to treat tools as things that we put our faith in. We are yoked to Christ, we put our faith ultimately in Him and from there we use tools to accomplish what he’s called us to do, not the other way around. He’s also saying “come and connect with me and I’ll give you the security you're searching for, I’ll help you achieve good things for my kingdom”. In Luke He tells the disciples who are going out on great commission to travel light.

“He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. These were His instructions: Travel light on your journey: don’t take a staff, backpack, bread, money, or even an extra change of clothes.” Luke 9:3-5 (The Voice)

If you’re feeling a bit weighed down by the many books on your reading list, the many activities you want to do, see and connect with the right people that will help you achieve, maybe it’s time to check what you’re yoked to, because maybe you’re not connecting with the One that will guide you, will give you rest and bring the best out of you.

Q. When was the last time you examined your spiritual energy level? Do you think it’s high or low?

Q. What do you need to stop doing and start doing to bring greater health to your level of spiritual energy and peace?

Q. Do you think you can be yoked to social media where you get your direction and value from it? Is it something you need to manage better in your life?

Action

For a lot of people the morning is the most creative time of the day. Before you’ve checked your social media feed or the latest news, sit down, breath, read the word, pray for wisdom and understanding. Now write 2 lists, one containing the prevalent thoughts and feelings you’ve been having the past month. In the other list write what Jesus would say about those feelings and thoughts from His word.